VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis Lauds Tanzania for Safeguarding Freedom of Worship

The Holy
Father, Pope Francis, has applauded Tanzania for ensuring the freedom of worship that
followers of various religions enjoy to practice in the country. 

 

In his written
address handed to the Bishops of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference who had an
audience with him at the end of their “ad limina visit” on 7th April
2014, the Holy Father said that the on going protection and promotion of this
fundamental human right strengthens society by enabling believers, in fidelity
to the dictates of their conscience and in respect for the dignity and rights
of all, to advance social unity, peace and the common good. 

 

“I am
grateful for your on going efforts to promote forgiveness, peace and dialogue as
you shepherd your people in difficult situations of intolerance and, at times,
of violence and persecution,” he said. The Pope further said, “I urge you also to work with
government and civic institutions in this area so as to ensure that the rule of
law prevails as an indispensable means for guaranteeing just and pacific social
relations. I pray that your example, and that of the entire Church in your
country, will continue to inspire all people of good will who long for peace”.

 

The Holy
Father praised the impressive history of missionary work throughout the
region and encouraged the prelates to maintain and foster the missionary
imperative, so that the Gospel may increasingly permeate every work of the
apostolate and shed its light on all areas of Tanzanian society.

 

The message of the Pope also
stated that the work of Evangelisation in Tanzania, then, is not merely a
remarkable event of the past. “No, it happens every day in the
Church’s pastoral work in parishes, in the liturgy, in the reception of the
sacraments, the educational apostolate, health care initiatives, catechesis,
and in the lives of ordinary Christians.”

 

The Pope
mentioned in particular the witness of healthcare workers who “care for those
suffering from HIV/AIDS, and by all who strive diligently to educate people in
the area of sexual responsibility and chastity.” He said, “all those who devote
themselves to the integral development of the poor, and in particular, of
destitute women and children.”

 

“May the
Holy Spirit who gave strength, wisdom and holiness to the first missionaries in
Tanzania continue to inspire the entire local Church in this vital witness”, the
Pope said.

 

When talking about priests and their pastoral ministry, the Pope said the Church needs “holy, well-educated and zealous priests. They need to receive an adequate human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral
formation.”

 

With
reference to the role of the laity, Pope Francis asked the Bishops to make
special efforts to provide catechists with a comprehensive understanding of
the Church’s doctrine. “This will equip them not only to counter the challenges
of superstition, aggressive sects and secularism, but even more importantly, to
share the beauty and richness of the Catholic faith with others, particularly
the young, ” he said.

 

With regard
to the theme on the family, Pope Francis re-affirms that the gift that healthy
families represent is felt with particular vitality in Africa. He said, “By promoting prayer, marital fidelity, monogamy, purity and humble service to one another within families, the Church continues to make an invaluable contribution to the social welfare of Tanzania, one which, coupled with her educational and healthcare apostolates, will surely foster greater stability and progress in your country. There is scarcely a finer service which the Church can offer than to give witness to our conviction of the sanctity of God’s gift of life and to the essential role played by spiritual and stable families in preparing the younger generations to live virtuous lives and to face the challenges of the future with wisdom, courage and generosity. The Church’s love for, and pastoral solicitude towards the family is at the
heart of the New Evangelization.”